Local News

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that would prohibit companies forcibly transporting children. Also under the ordinance, families could sue transport companies that use force against their children for $10,000, plus legal costs. The issue came to...

A special joint council meeting Saturday brought together Watsonville City Council, City Manager Rene Mendez, other city and county leaders and the public for a discussion of the swelling homeless problem.   In 2023, compared to 2022, homelessness overall rose by 15% in Watsonville while there...

Eighteen artworks by Watsonville artist Sefla Joseph are now on exhibit at the Aptos Public Library, along with a show by Aptos artist Diane Levin. Spread around the facility, Joseph’s works include abstract portraits done with charcoal, chalk, and ink and paintings in  acrylic/mixed media...

AROMAS—The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County plans to protect nearly all of the 2,640-acre Rocks Ranch in Aromas from development, the organization announced Feb. 11. The ranch has been in the spotlight recently following the San Benito County Supervisors’ intent to rezone a portion...

WATSONVILLE—For the second year running, a group from Watsonville’s Filipino community is releasing a calendar highlighting family histories.  The “Watsonville is in the Heart” calendar is part of the Tobera Project, an ongoing project aiming to preserve, honor and celebrate that history, especially those of...

SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of homeless people were roused by police officers in their tents early Friday morning at Phoenix Camp, the unsanctioned encampment behind the Gateway Plaza at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. The message was clear: the residents were trespassing on city-owned...

In November my wife, Sarah, and I took a road trip to San Antonio, Texas. We packed on over 4,500 miles, averaging around 450 miles a day, stayed in 11 motels and wandered through four states. While we were lucky to see many amazing things:...

While she can’t quite remember what sparked her interest, Arielle Bennet has known she wanted to be a firefighter since she was a small child. Bennet, 18, has been a part of the Watsonville Fire Youth Academy since last year, and now serves as advisor...

WATSONVILLE — Habitat for Humanity of Monterey Bay threw open its doors at a grand opening ceremony Thursday for the relocation of their ReStore at 555 Main St. in Watsonville.  The festive event drew community members, business people, Restore staff and area dignitaries, including Watsonville Mayor...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though the Disaster Recovery Center at Ramsay Park in Watsonville closed up shop Feb. 10, services are now offered at Watsonville City Hall. Starting Thursday, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Watsonville and Felton were extended to continue providing recovery services to residents impacted...